Platinum #1: 2023 Phenomenal Pins

The Platinum tournament is the best of the best in Oregon and Washington, competing for the #1 seed in the Pacific Northwest. The Puget Sound region and the Columbia Empire region each send their top four 16U and top four 18U teams to compete, so a total of eight teams in each age bracket. First playing in a pool and then in a small bracket, one team will come out on top. One team from each age bracket will drop down, allowing for one team to move up and compete. There will be a few more Platinum tournaments taking place later on that we will be covering as well. In the 18U age bracket the teams in attendance were: NPJ 18-1 Forefront (CE), OJVA 18-1 Gold (CE), OJVA 17-1 Gold (CE), Webfoor 18-1 Brian (CE), SIVBC 18-1 Tsunami (PS), SIVBC 17-1 Storm (PS), Dakine 17 Surf (PS), and Dakine 18-1 Surf (PS). All teams competed and great volleyball was played. To recap the tournament, we will be highlighting some standout players in their respective position and class. OREGON —————— [caption id="attachment_171326" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-171326" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/12/gwen-fife-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: OSAA[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="91402" first="Gwen" last="Fife"], OH, 5’11”, Sheldon High School, Webfoot Jrs. 18-1 Brian Committed: University of Utah (Sand) Fife is an all-around outside attacker for the Webfoot 18-1 team. A very competitive beach volleyball player, this translates well for her court game. Fife has a high vertical jump, a great court awareness, and a high volleyball IQ. This, coupled with her athleticism, makes for a powerful pin hitter. The Webfoot team relies on her heavily to put the ball away, in both the front and back row. Fife was an all-around outside attacker for the Sheldon High School Irish this past season. She was crucial in their first-place finish in the Southwest Conference. She helped them advance to the 6A quarterfinals where the Irish lost in five sets to the eventual state champs, West Linn. She was awarded Southwest Second Team All-League this past season. [caption id="attachment_186321" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-186321" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/03/Naima-Foster-NPJ-Headshot-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: NPJ[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="91314" first="Naima" last="Foster"], 5’10”, RS/OH, Valley Catholic High School, North Pacific Juniors 18-1 Forefront <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13527283">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> Foster is a utility player for the NPJ 18-1 Forefront, as one of three non-2022 athletes on the roster. New to NPJ, coming from OJVA, she is an athletic and versatile athlete. What most impressed me watching Foster play is her ability to step into many different positions. She was seen subbing in and playing the back rotations, passing dimes on serve receive given her great ball control. But was also seen going in and playing right side, putting up a big block. Foster has an insane vertical jump and explodes off the ground making her an efficient attacker as well. Foster is a three-year varsity starter for the Valley Catholic High School Valiants. As a six-rotation outside hitter, she was a critical part of the team’s rise to prominence the past few seasons, seeing significant playing time in her freshman and sophomore seasons. Foster was awarded Cowapa co-Player of the Year and Cowapa First Team All-League. She was, unfortunately, out with an injury most of her junior high school season. Foster is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2023. [caption id="attachment_146988" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-146988" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/06/AQ7A2785-e1624743914480-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: Jennifer Barnes[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="91306" first="Sophie" last="Gregoire-Salagean"], OH, 6’2”, Newberg High School, Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy 17-1 Committed: University of Oregon With Gregoire-Salagean being the #1 2023 recruit for Oregon rankings, it is no surprise she is a major impact player for the club team she competes on. She is one of the lethal pin-hitters for the OJVA 17-1 team. With Dreves and Gregoire-Salagean playing opposite, the two prove to be an unstoppable combination. She has an insanely high reach and an ability to elevate while in the air on the attack. Playing all-around, she brings steady ball control on defense and serve receive as well as a lights-out back row attack. Gregoire-Salagean is a three-year varsity starter for the Newberg High School Tigers. She was a critical part of the lineup and helped them finish second in the Pacific Conference. This past season she was awarded Pacific Conference Player of the Year, Pacific First Team All-League, and 6A Second Team All-State. WASHINGTON —————— [player_tooltip player_id="97258" first="Hailey" last="Brockway"], OH, 6’0”, Graham Kapowsin High School, Dakine 17 Surf Committed: Illinois State University Brockway is an all-around outside hitter for the Dakine 17 Surf team. She is a big presence on the court, you automatically notice her energy and big swing. When she connects with the ball there is nowhere that ball is going but to the ground. An athletic powerhouse, the team relies on Brockway heavily in all aspects of her game. Brockway is a three-year varsity starter for the Graham Kapowsin High School Eagles. Her play was critical in the Eagle’s fourth-place finish in the 4A WAIA State tournament. Brockway was awarded SPSL Most Valuable Player, SPSL First Team All-League, as well as 4A Second Team All-State. [player_tooltip player_id="97246" first="Arden" last="Carnrite"], 5’10”, OH, Newport - Bellevue High School, Sudden Impact 17-1 <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14120027">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> Carnrite is one of two primary outside attackers for the SIVBC 17-1 team, playing opposite DePencier Piñero. When attacking, she has a big approach with a great rhythm to it. She does a good job getting on top of the ball consistently and has a very fast arm swing. Carnrite is a three-year varsity starter for the Newport - Bellevue High School Knights. For the Knights, she is an impact player, as their starting outside attacker. Carnrite was awarded KingCo 4a 1st All-League Team this past season. Carnrite is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2023. Rebecca DePencier Piñero, OH/DS, Lakeside High School, Sudden Impact 17-1 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7CtIKow2PYAC8MbOt0HeJQ">[ Link to recruiting profile ]</a> A six rotation outside attacker, DePencier Piñero is a go-to hitter for the Sudden Impact 17-1 team. She has a great court presence, remaining calm and collected with an infectiously positive attitude. She hits high and deep and showcases smart attack placement. On defense, DePencier Piñero plays all out and does a good job reading the ball on the attack. She is a solid, all-around player. DePencier Piñero is a three-year varsity starter for the Lakeside High School Lions. As their six-rotation outside hitter, her all-around play was vital in the team’s metro and district championship. She was awarded Mountain League Most Valuable Player, Mountain First Team All-League, as well as 3A Second Team All-State. DePencier Piñero is currently not committed to a school for the fall of 2023.